You’re ready to get started with building your website but you aren’t sure how to get started. First, you’ll need a domain and then you’ll want to secure web hosting. But really, what is web hosting?
Web hosting is the place where all your files, photos and HTML code live. Think of it like this – if you were starting a brick-and-mortar store, you’d have a physical location that would hold everything you’re selling. That’s exactly what web hosting does. Every single website on the internet is hosted somewhere.
A web hosting provider, like Web.com, will provide you the space you need on the internet to host your store. If you own a domain and want to have it live somewhere, this is when web hosting would come in.
What is website hosting — an overview
Let’s dive a bit further into the concept of hosting.
Web hosting is a service that makes your website accessible on the internet. In essence, it involves storing and serving website files, data, and content on specialized servers that are connected to the internet. When someone types in your website’s domain name or clicks on a link, their browser sends a request to the appropriate web hosting server, and the server responds by sending the necessary files back to the user’s browser, which then displays the website.
So, how does it work, exactly? Let’s break the process down into the following steps:
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Domain Name. Websites are identified by domain names (e.g., www.example.com). Users enter these domain names into their web browsers to access websites.
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Domain Name System (DNS). When a user enters a domain name, their browser sends a request to a Domain Name System (DNS) server to translate the domain name into an IP address. IP addresses are unique identifiers that computers use to communicate with each other over the internet.
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Web Hosting Server. Once the browser has the IP address of the web hosting server associated with the entered domain name, it sends a request to that server.
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Server Processing. The web hosting server receives the request and processes it. It retrieves the necessary files and data (HTML, images, videos, scripts, etc.) that make up the website’s content.
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Content Delivery. The server sends these files back to the user’s browser over the internet.
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Browser Rendering. The user’s browser receives the files and interprets the HTML code to display the website’s content on the user’s screen. This may include text, images, videos, and interactive elements.
Benefits of a good web hosting service
When it comes to establishing a strong online presence for your small business, the right web hosting service can be your secret weapon. A good hosting service goes beyond just giving your website a place to reside – it can significantly impact your brand’s success and customer experience.
Here are a few key reasons to consider a reliable web hosting service for your business website:
Determines your page load speeds
It only takes 3 seconds for a customer to leave a sluggish website and turn to a competitor.
A good hosting service ensures your website pages load quickly, enticing visitors to explore further. This speed not only improves user experience but also plays a role in search engine rankings, meaning your site could show up higher in search results, drawing more potential customers in.
Keeps your website afloat 24/7
Imagine your shop’s door always being open to customers – that’s the kind of reliability a good hosting service provides for your website. It ensures your website is accessible 24/7, building trust among your customers.
Downtime, when your website is temporarily unavailable, can turn away potential customers and harm your brand’s credibility. In fact, a minute of downtime can cost small businesses hundreds of dollars. Reliable hosting guarantees high uptime, keeping your digital doors open for business.
Keeps your site secure
Just like you’d secure your physical store, your website needs protection, too. A good web hosting service offers robust security measures to safeguard your digital assets from cyber threats, data breaches, and malware. This is especially crucial if you’re handling sensitive customer information or processing online transactions. A secure website builds trust and confidence among your customers.
Offers scalability for online growth
Imagine your business experiencing a sudden surge in customers – you’d want your shop to handle the increased traffic, right? Similarly, good web hosting services allow your website to easily handle higher visitor numbers and increased content as your business grows. This scalability ensures your website remains responsive and user-friendly, even during peak periods.
Provides technical support
Think of the web hosting service provider as your tech-savvy partner. A good web host offers excellent customer support, ensuring that any technical glitches or issues are quickly addressed. This support can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re not well-versed in the intricacies of website management.
Investing in the best web hosting company for your website is like setting a solid foundation for your online brand. It’s not just about having a place for your website to live; it’s about ensuring your website performs impeccably, stays secure, and grows seamlessly as your business flourishes.
Types of web hosting services
Shared hosting
Shared hosting is usually the first type of hosting people think of. It’s often thought of as the easiest type of hosting for new websites that aren’t seeing a ton of traffic yet.
With shared hosting, a website is being stored in a shared place (a server) with many other websites. This is what makes this form of hosting available at a lower cost.
Virtual private server hosting
If shared hosting isn’t for you, a VPS or virtual private server might be more your speed. VPS hosting offers users their own dedicated space on a shared server, but within a virtual partition, meaning it’s usually a safer option than traditional shared hosting.
It’s like having a shared server but with dedicated server resources. With a virtual dedicated server, you get the freedom to host multiple websites and scale your server resources when needed.
Dedicated hosting
Dedicated servers or dedicated hosting is a type of hosting where a user can essentially rent a whole web server for their exclusive use. With your own dedicated server, you are provided with the maintenance of the server hardware, power, security and space. But everything else — like setting up site architecture and maintaining the site on an ongoing basis — can be managed by the user.
Dedicated servers often comes with a hefty price tag, which is why they’re often recommended for larger businesses and enterprises that host multiple websites and applications that demand heavier online traffic.
Cloud hosting
Out of all the hosting options, Cloud Hosting plans are some of the most reliable hosting options for businesses out there. While traditional hosting relies on disk space on one server, cloud hosting has unmetered bandwidth, meaning it pulls power from a variety of different resources to help ensure your site almost never has any downtime.
Like virtual private servers, cloud hosting is also extremely scalable meaning you can add additional properties to your hosting at any time.
WordPress hosting
For WordPress websites, this hosting type is tailored for you. Running on a shared server, WordPress hosting comes pre-installed with the content management platform. This means you don’t have to install it through your control panel.
It’s optimized for WordPress performance, security, and updates and often comes with pre-installed themes and plugins to simplify website management.
eCommerce hosting
Most web hosting companies offer eCommerce hosting for businesses selling goods online. These hosting packages that are designed to handle the intensive demands of online stores. It offers features like shopping cart integration, payment gateways, and SSL certificates for secure transactions.
Each hosting type has its unique web hosting features, benefits, and considerations. So, it’s essential to evaluate your business’s requirements, growth potential, technical expertise, and budget. By understanding these hosting options, you can make an informed decision that lays a solid foundation for your online presence and ensures a seamless experience for your customers.
Which web hosting service is best for your business
Small businesses with simple websites
For businesses that require a basic online presence, such as local cafes and restaurants, shared hosting is an ideal choice.
Shared hosting offers a cost-effective solution where multiple websites share resources on a single server. Unlike other hosting plans, it’s easier to set up and doesn’t require extensive technical knowledge. This type of hosting is suitable for businesses that want to showcase their menu, location, opening hours, and contact information.
Growing businesses
As businesses grow, their online presence becomes more crucial. For agencies that manage multiple client websites, VPS hosting is recommended.
VPS hosting offers dedicated virtual resources within a shared environment. It provides better control, improved performance, and scalability for businesses that need to handle various client projects with varying requirements, such as consultancies or web development agencies.
Websites with variable traffic patterns
Businesses experiencing varying traffic patterns, such as event management companies, benefit from cloud hosting.
Cloud hosting plans offer scalable resources that can be adjusted based on demand. This flexibility is essential for businesses that encounter occasional traffic spikes during events, ensuring smooth user experiences without the risk of downtime.
Enterprises with resource-intensive applications
For businesses with applications demanding substantial resources, like high-traffic eCommerce sites or complex web applications, dedicated server hosting is the recommended choice. Dedicated hosting provides an entire physical server exclusively for one business. This allows for high performance, full customization, and control over server configurations.
A good example is online gaming platforms that require robust resources to support real-time interactions and gameplay. Dedicated hosting is essential for these applications, providing the necessary computing power and customization capabilities. With dedicated hosting, gaming companies can ensure seamless user experiences, low latency, and a high level of control over the gaming environment.
Crucial considerations when choosing the right hosting provider
Selecting the right hosting provider is akin to choosing a trustworthy business partner – it can make or break your online journey.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when choosing the perfect web hosting service provider for your small business:
1. Hosting Type Tailored to Your Needs. Before diving in, understand your website’s requirements. Different types of web hosting, like shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting, offer varying levels of resources, control, and scalability. Opt for the hosting plan that aligns with your business size, traffic expectations, and technical expertise.
2. Reliability and Uptime Guarantees. Check the uptime guarantees of the web host. You want a web hosting provider that ensures your website is up and running most of the time. Look for uptime percentages above 99.5% to avoid frustrating downtime that could turn potential customers away.
3. Loading Speeds and Performance. Website loading speed is critical. A slow website can lead to high bounce rates and poor user experiences. Investigate the hosting provider’s performance track record – they should have fast server speeds and content delivery networks (CDNs) that enhance loading times across the globe.
4. Security Features. Cybersecurity is non-negotiable. Choose a web hosting company that offers robust website security features, including firewalls, regular malware scans, and SSL certificates to encrypt data transmissions. Your customers’ trust and data are on the line, so prioritize a provider with a strong security stance for your business website.
5. Scalability and Growth Potential. While your business may be small now, you’re likely aiming for growth. Ensure your web host can accommodate increased traffic and resource demands as your business expands. Scalability should be seamless and not hinder your website’s performance during growth spurts.
6. Customer Support Excellence. Technical hiccups are inevitable. A web hosting company should offer exceptional technical support that’s responsive, knowledgeable, and available 24/7. A quick resolution to any issues can prevent prolonged website downtime and potential loss of customers.
7. Budget and Value. Web hosting costs widely vary, but remember that you get what you pay for. While cost is a factor, prioritize value over the lowest price. Consider the features, performance, and support offered within your budget to make an informed decision.
8. Reviews and Reputation. Research the hosting provider’s reputation. Read reviews from other users to gauge their experiences. Look for feedback on customer support, uptime, and overall satisfaction to get a clear picture of what to expect.
9. User-Friendly Interface. Managing your web hosting plan should be hassle-free. Choose a web host with an intuitive control panel that makes it easy to manage domains, databases, and other settings. A user-friendly interface can save you time and minimize frustration.
10. Backup and Recovery Options. Accidents happen. Your web host should offer regular backups and recovery options to restore your website in case of data loss or other emergencies. This safety net can prevent catastrophic losses.
The best web hosting provider is more than a service – it’s a strategic partner in your online success. Thoroughly evaluate your options based on these considerations, ensuring that your chosen provider aligns with your business goals, technical needs, and budget.
Start with the right web host
Your web hosting plan can make or break your entire online presence, so make it count. Learn how to choose the right plan from the tips and recommendations above. More importantly, get a web hosting plan from a reputable provider that not only offers exceptional hosting services but also other online solutions that complement your business needs.
Building your online enterprise from the ground up doesn’t have to be a hassle. Partner with Web.com and explore our variety of web hosting plans that will fit your every need.
